Natural Resources
Associate of Science Degree
Articulated with Oregon State University
UCC's Natural Resources - Landscape Monitoring Option program prepares you for a career in conservation science, wildlife biology, fisheries science, botany, forestry, watershed management and other fields related to natural resource science and conservation. The program takes advantage of UCC’s well-equipped facilities and the diversity of resources available on its beautiful 100-acre campus and nearby lands to provide a mix of classroom, lab, and field experiences not found at any other institution. This program requires 92 credits to complete.
Did you know?
UCC works closely with Oregon State University (OSU) to provide the Degree Partnership Program - with many ONLINE options. Students dual-enroll at UCC and OSU, reap cost savings, and benefit from access to UCC and OSU scholarships and services. Learn more.
Special Features
UCC is uniquely situated in the heart of world-renowned forests, mountains and rivers. Over half of Douglas County lands are under public ownership, giving us access to a wide range of agency experts and hands-on field experiences.
Application and Acceptance
There are no prerequisites to enter this program. Students can begin this program at any time, but a Fall term start will allow the program to be completed in two years.
Program Outcomes
- Recognize and classify common plant and animal species in the field, and use dichotomous keys to determine or verify their identity.
- Describe key ecological cycles, disturbance processes, and ecological succession in landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.
- Describe the ways in which utilization, management, and allocation of natural resources are affected.
- Recognize and describe the interrelationships between the ecological communities that produce natural resources and the social communities that consume and manage them.
- Discuss historic range of ecosystem variability, human impacts that influence ecosystem change, and the future sustainability of natural resources.
- Work safely and navigate efficiently in the field using map, compass, GPS and other orienteering and data gathering technologies.
- Demonstrate current protocols for gathering and recording data in the field and lab.
- Map and quantify a range of natural resources at multiple scales.
- Analyze numerical and spatial environmental data, and apply current theory to those findings to solve problems in natural resource management.
- Envision and plan desired future landscapes that will achieve a set of natural resource-related objectives, prescribe management actions needed to achieve those objectives, and evaluate the success of these actions.
- Communicate effectively orally, in writing, and through current presentation technologies with audiences of diverse backgrounds.
- Work collaboratively within and among professional interdisciplinary teams and diverse community groups to resolve management problems and achieve management objectives.
- Self-assess professional strengths and weaknesses, and be committed to lifelong learning and professional development.
Spotlight on Student Success : Cris Salazar
UCC faculty helped Cris Salazar to discover and pursue his passion in Conservation Biology.
Get the details.
Ready to get started?
It's easy and only requires TWO steps.
Step 1
Fill out our response form. This will alert us that you are interested in the Natural Resources program.
Step 2
If you are new to UCC (you've never taken a class), apply to UCC. Otherwise, you are done for now. You will be contacted about the next steps.
Careers
Employment of conservation scientists and foresters is projected to grow 6 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Most employment growth is expected to be in state and local government-owned forest lands, particularly in the western United States.
Transfer Guide
Our AS degree in Natural Resources provides a foundation for OSU’s Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources. After completing our Natural Resources AS, all of the remaining classes needed to fulfill OSU’s Bachelor’s degree requirements can be taken at UCC and through OSU’s online Ecampus, making it possible to earn your BS in Natural Resources without relocating to Corvallis.
Catalog Information
View / Download catalog information for Natural Resources: Associate of Science Degree
Advising Guides
View / Download advising information for Natural Resources: Conservation Law Enforcement: Associate of Science Degree
View / Download advising information for Natural Resources: Fish & Wildlife: Associate of Science Degree
View / Download advising information for Natural Resources: Forest Ecosystems: Associate of Science Degree
Related Degrees at UCC
High School Students
Get a head start by becoming a dual credit student. Dual credit students attend UCC and high school at the same time! You can complete high school requirements, work on college prerequisites and earn credits towards a degree or certificate all at the same time.
First Generation College Students
Will you be the first in your family to go to college? Take advantage of the Transfer Opportunity Program (TOP). It's FREE. The TOP program provides the extra help you will need to be successful at UCC so you can transfer smoothly to university studies.
Residents of WA, ID, NV, and CA
If you are from Washington, Idaho, Nevada, or California, you pay Oregon resident tuition rates. That's a big discount! You might also be interested in what life is like around UCC. Find out.
Money for College
Get access to millions of dollars that are available to students - not just loans. There are scholarships, grants and work study opportunities too! Every student can use money for college. It can help you to be more successful. Plus, it can lower your debt load when you finish college. Some students actually leave college debt-free! Here are some important sources of money for college. Don't let these opportunities for financial aid pass you by. Act now! Decide. Commit. Succeed.
- Pell Grants part of FAFSA (for undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need.)
- Federal Work Study part of FAFSA (Work on Campus. Get experience in the workforce.)
- Scholarships, OSAC, FAFSA, and more (Sources of money for college.)
- UCC Scholars (Tuition waiver for high school seniors with high GPAs.)
Why UCC?
At UCC, you can earn a TWO-YEAR TRANSFER DEGREE for less than you'll pay for one year at a state university. Plus, UCC offers:
• Seamless, direct transfer degrees
• Expert faculty dedicated to teaching
• Personal attention and small class sizes
• In-person, online, and hybrid classes
Contact
Prospective students should contact an Enrollment Advisor to get started and then see a program advisor (below) to develop a more focused educational plan.
Bryan Benz - Contact
Assistant Professor, Science
541-440-4618